Structure for drilling wells in deep water



A ril 1, 1952 M. H. PARKS STRUCTURE FOR DRILLING WELLS m DEEP WATER Filed Aug. 25, 1949 FRESH WATER 24 DISCHARGE I SALT WATER FIG. 3.

FIG.

submerged lands.

Patented Apr. 1, 1952 STRUCTURE FOR DRILLING WELLS IN DEEP WATER Mercer H. Parks, Houston, Tex., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Standard Oil Development Company, Elizabeth, N. J., a corporation of Delaware Application August 25, 1949, Serial No. 112,237

4 Claims.

9 l The present invention is directed to a bargetypestructure which is adapted to have drilling apparatus mounted thereon to be used in drilling wells in deep water. More particularly, the invention is directed to a barge-like structure which is adapted to be used in drilling wells on submerged areas of the continental shelves of North America.

It has been known heretofore to drill wells on For example, Gilliasso in U. S. 1,681,533 has described a barge structure for submarine drilling operations in which the structure is provided with an open bay through which a drilling operation may be conducted. Gilliasso provides side pontoonsfor controlling the submergence and floating of his apparatus and has taught that his barge may be compartmentalized for controlling the sinking and floating operations. The Gilliasso apparatus is particularly adapted to conduct drilling operations in relatively shallow waters and has not been adapted to drilling operations where the depth may be 10 feet to 100 feet or more.

Crites et a]. U. S. 2,237,387 have also taught the provision of a drilling barge. The feature of the Crites et a1. apparatus is to provide tubular columns through which anchors may extend to the floor of the body of water on which the drilling operation is to be conducted. Crites et al.s drilling barge remains buoyant during the operation and is supported by the tubular columns which piling members telescope to give support thereto.

It will be seen that the apparatus of the prior art has many disadvantages which make them largely unsuitable for conducting drilling operations in deep Waters such as may be encountered off Coastal Louisiana and Texas.

It is, therefore, the main object of the present invention to provide an improved barge structure on which a drilling operation may be conducted.

It is another object'of the invention to provide a drilling barge which may be sunk and floated under controlled conditions.

a A still further object of the invention is to provide .an improved structure for conducting operations in deep water which gives controlled support to the drilling apparatus. Another object of the present invention is to .provide a structure for conducting drilling operations which serves as a reservoir for fuels and "fluids required in the drilling operation.

Other objects will become apparent from a reading of the description taken with the drawing which Fig. 1 is an isometric view of the apparatus of the present invention with parts cut away;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of one of the tubular columns forming a part of the apparatus of the present invention; and

Fig. 3 is a detail of a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 2.

In the several figures of the drawings, identical numerals will be employed to designate identical parts.

The principal parts of the apparatus'include a barge defining outer water tight compartments arranged along corresponding parallel sides thereof with inner watertight compartments surrounded by said other compartments. Vertically arranged tubular columns extend through the barge structure and define vertical passageways. The tubular columns support a platform defining a bay or opening above which a drilling rig may be located. The bay or opening in the platform corresponds with a similar opening in the barge itself to allow a drilling operation to be conducted 7 therethrough. It is understood that the bay or opening may be a slot. The tubular columns are adapted to provide buoyancy for the structure when it is being floated or sunk and are provided with valved means therein adjacent the lower end thereof which are controlled from the platform. Second valve means are provided adjacent the upper end thereof for introduction of water or air thereto as may be desired. A second platform may be supported beneath the first platform, from which the manifold controls may be operated if desired; such a second platform offers the advantage that by using it the first platform may be kept free from unnecessary obstructions.

Referring now to the drawing and especially to Fig. 1, numeral II designates a barge structure which is shown resting on the bottom I2 of a,

body of water {3. Arranged on barge ll vertically thereon and extending therethrough are tubular columns I4 which are adapted to sup-v of the rectangular shape barge except for opening l9 and may or may not be compartmentalized further. Compartments B extend along the short sides of the barge, while compartments C may be designated as inner compartments. and;

are surrounded by compartments A and B. Compartments D are arranged adjacent the opening l9 and may be said to be surrounded or partially surrounded by compartments C. Compartments D are arranged to provide support for a drilling rig which may be located above opening I! on platform l5.

Barge I I is provided with two valved manifolds and 2|. Manifold 2B is provided with valves 20a and communicates with compartments A, B,-

C, and D and may allow ingress thereto of air, fresh water, salt water or oil as may be desired. Manifold 21, similar to manifold 20, is provided with valve 2 la and communicates with compartments A, B, C and D and allows discharge therefrom of the contents thereof by introduction of air or gas through inlet 22 controlled by valve 22a.

communicating with intake manifold 23 which in turn communicates with manifold 20. Fresh water may be introduced to any of the several compartments through intake line 24 controlled by valve 2411 which in turn also communicates with intake manifold 23, while salt water may be introduced to any of the several compartments by intake line 25 controlled by valve 25a which likewise communicates with line 23. The contents of the several compartments may be discharged by suitable manipulation of valve 22a in line 22 to admit air and by manipulation of the valves 20a controlling manifold 20 and valves 2Ia of manifold 2i, allowing discharge from manifold 2| into line 26 controlled by valve 26a which, under these conditions, would be in the open position.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3 it will be seen that tubular column M is provided with a cover plate 21 and a plug member 28 located adjacent the upper end thereof. Arranged in and adjacent the lower end of tubular member i4 is valve means 39 which is controlled by valve control means 29 through valve rod '30" extending the length of the tubular member. Opening valve 38 allows water to enter the member M through a bottom opening 30a thereof and flood same. Tubular member or column M is also provided with an inlet line 3i controlled by valve 32 and an outlet line 33 controlled by valve 34 which allows water or air to be introduced thereto and air to be discharged therefrom. Valve 32 and 34 may be controlled either from platform H5 or platform [6.

It is contemplated that compartments A may be subdivided if desirable and are designed to displace slightly less water than the total weight of the structure and any auxiliary material which may be located on the platforms. Compartments A extend along the long side of the barge to give maximum stabilization thereof.

Compartments l3 lay along the short side of the barge and are designed so that their combined water displacement will be in excess of the total weight displaced by the barge structure and other equipment carried thereby. Compartments C are surrounded by compartments A and B and are arranged to give maximum bracing and strength to the structure While compartments D are constructed adjacent to columns M, supporting heavy loads such as a drilling rig arranged above opening l9 thereof.

In operation of the apparatus of the present invention the barge H provided with tubular columns I4 and other structural equipment is launchedinto a suitable body of water and may be towed to a previously arranged location. On or before reaching the location compartments C and D may be pumped full of fresh water which will eventually be used in conducting the drilling operation. This loading submerges the barge ll until it is nearly awash. It is then secured directly above the point on the oceanfioor or body of water Where it is to rest and fresh water is pumped as required into compartments B to level the barge and bring it completely awash. At this point the inner columns 14 may be connected 'through suitable valves and lines from upper ends to a common control point and the valves corresponding to valve 30 are opened and allow water to enter as air is let 01f at the top. Inasmuch as the outer columns l4 arranged along the long and short sides of the barge are closed at the bottom, these outer columns may provide buoyance and stability against overturning to the structure as submergence increases. Thus the barge structure may be sunk under control through the admission of relatively small quantitles of water through the lower ends of the columns M by valving air off the top thereof. The

valve manifold for this operation would suitablybe connected to an air compressor or the like so that the water could be forced from any of these columns as it is required to level the structure or raise it. If it becomes desirable to load the inner columns with fresh water that may be accomplished by pumping in through the top valves and if this becomes necessary other means, such as air lifts, for removing the water from the columns may be provided.

It is contemplated as a desirable feature of the operation of the present invention that compartments A and B may be pressured with a fluid lighter than water, possibly a gaseous fluid such as air, during submergence to counterbalance external hydrostatic pressure and prevent col-- lapse. Such pressures may be maintained by automatic controls.

During drilling operations it is desirable that the fluid in compartments A maintained under pressure be fuel oil inasmuch as these compartments would not contain water when they are pressured with air or other gas. When fuel oil is stored in compartments A it may be lifted to the point of use by pressure maintained over the fiuid such as pressures imposed thereon by inert gas such as nitrogen. Although not shown in the drawing, it may be desirable to provide a separate manifold for the fuel oil to prevent contamination with water.

Compartments B, C and D under all operations may serve as a supply for fresh water which may be lifted by air pressure automatically maintained and introduced through intake manifold 23 by line 22.

It is contemplated that compartments D may serve to give additional support to a drilling rig supported by columns 14 adjacent to opening 19.

Thus when the columns 14 are loaded with a.

drilling rig and excessive loads provided, this excessive loading may be compensated for by providing buoyancy by pumping out some of the water contained therein and replacing it by a lighter fluid such as air.

It will be apparent from the design of my improved structure that tubular columns l4 may be used as conduits or jets for drilling operations if the inner valve means are removed. It is contemplated that the valves may be removable as a unit. It is also contemplated that tubular columns l4 may be used to free the barge from the floor of the sea by jetting fluid under the barge when it is desired to raise the structure and float it to a new location.

While the preferred embodiment of my invention shows a barge. of rectangular shape, 11-, is

structed with each side of the same length with parallel sides thereto. In the embodiment where the barge structure is square with each side of same length, it will be desirable to provide watertight compartments arranged along corresponding sides thereof with inner compartments surrounded by the outer compartments. It may be desirable to provide compartments along two of the parallel sides running the length of the structure whereas on the other parallel sides the compartments may similarly run the length of the structure, but may be further compartmentalized. The tubular columns where the barge is square may be arranged similarly to the preferred embodiment shown in the several figures of the drawing.

The nature and objects of the present invention having been completely described and illustrated, what I wish to claim as new and useful and to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A structure adapted for drilling wells in deep water which comprises a barge defining first outer watertight compartments arranged along first parallel sides thereof, second outer watertight compartments arranged along second parallel sides thereof and inner watertight compartments surrounded by said outer compartments, tubular columns vertically arranged on said barge defining vertical passageways extending therethrough, a platform supported by said tubular columns, a first and second pipe manifold arranged on said barge fluidly communicating with said compartments, means for controlling said manifolds from said platform, a plug disposed in said tubular columns adjacent said platform, first valved means disposed in said tubular column adjacent a lower end thereof and adapted to be controlled from said platform, and second valved means arranged in an inlet and an outlet line for said tubular columns fluidly communicating therewith adjacent an upper end of said tubular columns, said platform and said barge defining openings arranged one above another through which a drilling operation may be conducted.

2. A structure in accordance with claim 1 in which the inner compartments define watertight compartments arranged adjacent the opening in said barge adapted to support the weight of a drilling rig.

3. A structure adapted for drilling wells in deep water which comprises, a rectangular shaped barge defining first outer watertight compartments arranged along the long sides thereof, sec- 0nd watertight compartments arranged along the short sides thereof and inner watertight compartments surrounded by said ou er c p ments, tubular columns vertically arranged on said barge defining vertical passageways extend ing therethrough, a first and a second platform supported by said tubular columns, a first and second pipe manifold arranged on said barge fluidly communicating with saidcompartments, means for controlling said manifolds from said second platform, a plug disposed in said tubular columns adjacent said first platform, first valved means disposed in said tubular column arranged adjacent a lower end thereof and adapted to be controlled from said first platform, and second valved means arranged in an inlet and an outlet line for said tubular columns fluidly communicating therewith adjacent an upper end of said tubular columns and adapted to be controlled from said second platform, said first and second platforms and said barge defining openings arranged one above another through which a drilling operation may be conducted.

4. A structure adapted for drilling wells in deep water which comprises a barge defining first outer watertight compartments arranged along first parallel sides thereof, second outer watertight compartments arranged along second parallel sides thereof and inner watertight compartments surrounded by said outer compartments, tubular columns vertically arranged on said barge defining vertical passageways extending therethrough, a first and second platform supported by said tubular columns, a first and second pipe manifold arranged on said barge fluidly communicating with said compartments, means for controlling said manifolds from said second platform, a plug disposed in said tubular columns arranged adjacent said first platform, first valve means disposed in said tubular column arranged adjacent a lower end thereof and adapted to be controlled from said first platform, and second valve means arranged in an inlet and an outlet line for said tubular columns fluidly communicating therewith adjacent an upper end of said tubular columns and adapted to be controlled from said second platform, said first and second platforms and said barge defining openings arranged one above another through which a drilling operation may be conducted.

MERCER H. PARKS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,892,125 Armstrong Dec. 27, 1932 2,248,051 Armstrong July 8, 1941 2,334,992 Crake Nov. 23, 1943 

